20/09/2026
As extreme heat events become more frequent, European cities are leveraging data spaces to build cooler, healthier urban environments. Beat The Heat Phase II, funded under the EU European Data Space for Smart Communities DEP initiative, is officially scaling its cross-border impact!
Building on initial achievements in Cartagena (Spain), Naples, and Taranto (Italy), Phase II formally integrates the municipalities of Kalamata (Greece) and Codogno (Italy) into a shared data ecosystem focused on climate neutrality and mitigating the urban heat island effect.
As the lead partner of Phase II, the Municipality of Kalamata is spearheading real-world innovation by putting shared data into action:
🚶 Pedestrian Climate Resilience (EcoRoutes): Kalamata is deploying the EcoRoutes service, previously validated in Cartagena, to guide citizens and visitors along shaded corridors, targeting a reduction in heat exposure of over 1.5°C during daily commutes. The mobile app will also feature a "Heat Wave Mode" to deliver real-time emergency alerts.
🚴 Smart Bicycle Navigation (EasyRide): The city is introducing EasyRide, an intelligent routing engine for cyclists that dynamically integrates microclimate heat maps, traffic density, topography, and air quality metrics.
♻️ Interoperable Data Infrastructure: Kalamata is integrating 10 local atmospheric sensors and municipal datasets through an open FIWARE architecture and Eclipse Foundation's EDC connectors, demonstrating seamless data space federation for smart cities.
Led by a strong consortium including Libelium, Local AI, and Politecnico di Milano, BeatTheHeat Phase II demonstrates the technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness of pan-European data spaces for urban sustainability.
Together, we are converting real-time environmental data into actionable mobility solutions for safer, climate-resilient cities.
https://www.libelium.com/libeliumworld/three-tech-driven-approaches-to-beat-urban-heat-islands/